Two youths kicked out from Galle stadium for relaying match info

SRI Lanka Cricket (SLC) and the International Cricket Council’s Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) caught two young Indians releasing match information to India during the just-concluded Sri Lanka-India Test at Galle, it is learnt.

According to sources in SLC, the incident took place on the second and third day of the Galle Test when the two Indians were taking advantage of a few seconds delay in the live TV telecast and relaying match information to someone in India over their mobiles.

“Both hail from poor families in Mumbai and Delhi and their air tickets were purchased by their sponsors. They were not required to buy match tickets as entry to stadium was free for spectators,” the source added.

First trip to Lanka“They were caught from the public stand and after thorough interrogation, were evacuated from the stadium. As per their passport records, this was their first trip to this country. The incident has not been made public because no player or support staff member from either team was involved. The officials will be more alert during the remaining matches on this tour, the source said.

It is learnt that bookies in India and Pakistan hire young people, sponsor their trips abroad and send them to match venues to get prior information on what’s happening at the ground. Accordingly, bets are placed and gambling flourishes.